Betsy, it sounds to me like you have the perfect puppy there! I remember my DF telling me when I was training my shih tzu, to take her outside every 2 hours, the minute she wakes up and the minute she finishes eating. That worked out very well. For the first couple of weeks I walked her the perimeter of our yard and now that's where she goes, so I don't have any little landmines in the middle of my yard.

Good luck! You're going to love her!

Laurel

Thanks for the feedback, Laurel. I am thinking this would be a nice little dog but I tend to make myself crazy over analyzing decisions like this and usually miss the boat because I still haven't made up my mind. And then when it's no longer an option I realize I should have acted quicker.

Any other thoughts anyone?

Only that it is very difficult to have a puppy when you are both gone for most of the day. Puppies are so much work. It would be extremely hard to house-train her being gone for long periods of time, as you need to take her out alot. Also puppies left alone for that long tend to get into trouble, such as chewing everything in sight. I really want a puppy too, but just won't do it until I can be at home more often for the training and bonding with it.

I think Sedona will love her. A puppy will perk her right up, not that a 5 yo Golden needs perking up. LOL I'd suggest a crate. It's for her safety and will become her favorite place. The only negative is grooming...the puppy will need haircuts every 6 weeks or so.

It sounds like a perfect puppy! Smaller size, no shedding. I'd get her, but the others are right... puppys are loads of work. They will get into things, chew/destroy things and piddle on your floor. If you are willing to invest some time training and crate her while you are gone and at night I think things will work out. The crate will be good for time-outs too from Sedona who may tire of the playful puppy.

If you think Yorkies are perfect please stop reading this now....

OK, here my 2 cents: I am sure those dogs are cute as can be. My father has two Yorkies who are real cutie- pies and very loyal. However, they have brains the size of peas and it shows. They are very difficult to house train and they are yappy as all get out. Your mileage may vary, but if you are used to a Golden, this could be a rude awakening.

I hate to put a damper on this, but I have a girlfriend who had 2 little Yorkies. Her DH had a Yellow Lab or Golden Ret. They both worked with me. They came home one day to find 1 of them dead. Not a good sight. The offender would have been gone then and there. Not so. A few months later, the other Yorkie was found the same way. They kept the Golden or whatever she was, still. Until she got sick and had to be put down.
I'd say wait until your home with them.
Leslie

I have thought about the training that will be needed and I am more than willing to put in the time and effort needed to get this puppy off to a good start at being a good dog. I would definitely use a crate. When I got Sedona I actually used all my vacation time to stay home with her. she never left my side for over two weeks and that is all it took. It is a lot of work but so worth it.

I had not thought of a haircut every six weeks! That could be a definite deterrent. I don't even get to do that! LOL!! I suppose I could learn how to do that myself. I will have to think about this some more.

I just found out that my co-worker is bringing the puppies into the office this afternoon so we can all drool. Great - now how am I going to resist this?

Oh - and I have discussed this with dh and he says he thinks it would be a good idea to get Sedona a buddy. He also thinks I just want a little dog so I can dress it up. He's partially right.

Thanks again ladies.

I have two doxies and a 2 year old golden retriever. The doxies were here first, so they established a wee bit of dominance. The golden is so respectful of them that it's comical to watch them all interact. I think your golden would probably love some some companionship from another furbaby!!!

Puppies require lots of time and patience. I would suggest waiting until you are no longer working and will be home all day.

Some dogs get along and some don't. Luther didn't care too much for Ralphie, a small dog (chihuahua/beagle mix)Lauren got and attacked him after Ralphie harrassed him a little bit too much. We ended up giving Ralphie to the ex because he was destroying my house and because I was afraid Luther would eventually kill him.

I wouldn't leave a puppy or small dog alone with a large dog unless they'd been with each other for a long time with supervision.

I want another dog but won't get another one until I'm not working so many hours.

Betsy, we've had yorkies for over 15 years ... right now we have six of them. I think a shih-tzu/yorkie combo will be adorable. It's true, it'll require regular haircuts, the amount of time between cuts will depend on the style you use. We don't keep the regular yorkie-looking long hair style, because our kids play outside and they get into too much stuff which sticks to the hair. About 10 years ago, when we just had three fur-kids and $35/ea was just too much every 6 - 8 weeks, I watched carefully and saw what the groomers were doing, and bought some really good clippers and started doing it myself. They looked pretty funny the first few haircuts, but we all got the hang of it and it's not too bad now.

From what you've said about Sedona, I'd be surprised if she has problems adjusting to a little brother or sister. When we got Pebbles, Rocky was just rude to her ... snarly every time she'd come to play, he'd hop up on the couch to escape her, because she was too short to jump up. It was ugly sounding for exactly two weeks ... on the 15th day he came off the couch and started playing with her and they were the best of buddies for the next 11 years.

The worst part about housebreaking is that yorkies have short little legs, which makes it easy to squat or squirt quickly. We never had a problem house-breaking from puppyhood ... but these rescues are another story. My sister was never able to housebreak hers, but it was also her first experience with an indoor dog. I'm guessing your experience will win out with your new baby.

Yes, I'm assuming you took one home today! They're too cute to walk away from!! LOL!

For every month of a puppy's age is how long he can hold his urine. It's not reasonable to leave such a young dog alone until he is older. It's also very important to crate train the puppy. If you do decide to get this puppy, make sure to bring your dog along and see how the introduction goes. Don't leave the two dogs alone while you are at work. In the beginning you will have to have someone come in and walk the puppy.
Good Luck,
Donna

Whenever anybody asks if they should get a puppy I always answer "It all depends on how you feel about pee" LOLOL!

And in my experience, when a person is asking there is no point in trying to deter, because they are GOING TO GET A PUPPY ;). Especially once they look that puppy in the eyes. And with a visit planned? You are done like a dinner, TannaTonk - tee hee!

LOL at Dances and Stoney!!!

Well, I did look into those sweet little eyes and got lots of puppy dog kisses and really had to fight with the voices in my head, but I did not take the puppy. It was not easy. But she was so tiny. They say she weights 2 pounds but I swear she didn't feel any heavier than an extra large bag of cotton balls! I would have been afraid of stepping on her.

In my heart I knew I was not able to take time from work right now to be a stay at home puppy mom and it just would not have been fair. Now that dh and I both agree that Sedona may need a buddy we will keep our eyes and ears open but we will only consider a young to middle aged small dog. One that is already house broken and needs a forever home. We will not actively look for one but when the opportunity presents itself we will be prepared for it.

Thanks so much for talking me though this. Puppies are so hard to resist.

~Betsy

You are a stronger woman than I am. I am such a sucker for puppy licks.

IMHO you made an excellent decision.

I'm glad you resisted the urge of those puppy kisses and I think a good choice was made.
Leslie